Armed police (inset) at Thames High School. Main photo / Google. Insertion / The profile of the valley
The Ministry of Education has confirmed they are aware of six threats to North Island schools today.
Some schools in Gisborne, Waikato and Thames-Coromandel were closed or evacuated after the threats, police said.
Central Region Education Ministry hautū (leader) Jocelyn Mikaere said they had been notified of threats made by phone to five schools in Waikato and one school in Gisborne.
“Our teams are in contact with all schools and will be ready to provide any support that is needed.”
Police were at the schools, which had immediately started their emergency management plans, Mikaere said.
Matamata Intermediate reported around midday that police advised the school to remain on lockdown and students at Matamata College were evacuated. Thames High School and Cambridge High were also evacuated.
A teacher at Matamata Intermediate said the school held a lockdown drill earlier in the day and then received a call from the police. The second confinement was not a drill.
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Firth Primary School was closed but shortly before 1pm advised parents it was safe to collect their children. Matamata Intermediate told parents at the same time that they too could pick up their children.
At around 1.30pm, Thames High said students could go home if they were picked up by a parent or guardian.
A teacher at a kohanga near Matamata College said earlier that they had not been advised to go into lockdown but had done so out of concern. They said five police cars were parked at the school’s main entrance. Earlier they said they saw police with dogs.
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Lytton High School in Gisborne said it had also received a bomb threat by phone.
“The police have been informed and are on the scene. All staff and students have been evacuated from the buildings,” the school said.
“The police have asked us all to stay put for now.”
A police spokesman said they were in contact with the schools and investigating. They searched buildings in some of the schools.
“Police are aware of threats made by telephone in relation to a number of schools in the North Island,” they said.
Cambridge High School said in a Facebook post: “Due to a possible threat to the school, our students have been evacuated to the field. On the advice of the police we are evacuating the school campus school
“Students will not have access to their bags and will be able to pick them up on Taylor St. Those who are able to walk home are encouraged to do so.
“Bus students will be supervised off the school campus until the regular bus time. The bus company has been contacted and arrangements have been made for the buses to pick up the students at Taylor Street at the usual time.
“Supervision is available for any student who cannot walk home or be picked up before the end of the school day.
“All students and staff are safe, well and calm. The school reception and student office are unable to take calls at this time.”
In an update to parents via Facebook, Cambridge High School said some students may have left their cell phones in class and should find another way to contact their parents.
“Some students who normally took the bus home may have walked to friends’ houses while other bus students gathered in a field where their parents could pick them up.”
Matamata Intermediate confirmed via social media shortly before midday that it was “following police directions” due to an “incident in the vicinity of the school”.
Parents of pupils at Thames High School received a message from the school which read: “Following advice from the police, we have gone into lockdown due to what is believed to be a low risk threat at the school. Continuing advice from the police, we are now moving into an evacuation. so that the police can check the inside of the buildings. We will let you know when we have more information.”
They later said it was a “low-risk bomb threat.”
Matamata College said: “This message is to let you know that the school has received a threat and out of an abundance of caution we have evacuated under the direction of the police. The police are still investigating. There is no need to panic. No come to school. Further communication will be sent as soon as possible.”
They later added: “Police are still searching the buildings, which could take some time. Students who have parents who can pick them up now can do so. However, we need to make sure they are picked up by their parents. If you do. If you wish to collect your child, please meet the staff wearing high visibility vests on Station Road next to the pitch. Please do not enter the grounds school. Students will be brought to you when you have spoken with a staff member. All students who drive themselves, take buses, or ride bikes or walk to school must remain unless a parent can pick them up or until further notice. Please be patient.”
Firth Primary School posted shortly before 1pm that “we have been advised by the police that it is safe for you to collect your child from school. Simply come to the entrance to the school on Station Road and wait in the office and your child will be delivered safely to the office.
“We can assure you that your child is safe and, if he must remain at school, we will continue to follow the instructions of the local police and will update you with more information as it comes to us.”
Matamata Intermediate said parents could pick up their children at the Smith St entrance. Parents were asked not to go onto the school grounds but to ask staff wearing high visibility vests to escort their children.
